Conjoint Associate Professor Mick Hunter

Career Summary

Biography

Dr. Hunter's research career started at the Institute of Psychiatry, London, working on models of learning, cognitive function, psychopathology and the inter-hemispheric transfer of training. During the 5 years of postgraduate and then postdoctoral research at the Institute, Dr. Hunter gained expertise in behavioural training, recovery surgery, unit recording and EEG/ERP techniques. Dr. Hunter then joined Aston University, Birmingham, and, while undertaking clinical training, collaborated with Professor G. F.A. Harding on research employing EEG and ERP experimental techniques in human subjects. Dr. Hunter moved to the School of Psychology at the University of Newcastle, N.S.W. as a lecturer in Psychology, specialising in Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology, in 1985. He has continued to use and develop EEG/ERP experimental techniques to investigate cognitive functions in normal and clinical groups. This research effort subsequently extended to the development of functional MRI neuro-imaging techniques. He is currently working on methods of using fMRI and MRS measures in an effort to identify brain chemistry changes associated with neural function. He has also continued his interests in neuroplasticity, in particular investigating the role of molecular and neurochemical changes in learning in a chicken model.

Research ExpertiseDr. Hunter's research career started at the Institute of Psychiatry, London, working on models of learning, cognitive function, psychopathology and the inter-hemispheric transfer of training. During the 5 years of postgraduate and then postdoctoral research at the Institute, Dr. Hunter gained expertise in behavioural training, recovery surgery, unit recording and EEG/ERP techniques. Dr. Hunter then joined Aston University, Birmingham, and, while undertaking clinical training, collaborated with Professor G. F.A. Harding on research employing EEG and ERP experimental techniques in human subjects. Dr. Hunter moved to the School of Psychology at the University of Newcastle, N.S.W. as a lecturer in Psychology, specialising in Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology, in 1985. He has continued to use and develop EEG/ERP experimental techniques to investigate cognitive functions in normal and clinical groups. This research effort subsequently extended to the development of functional MRI neuro-imaging techniques. He is currently working on methods of using fMRI and MRS measures in an effort to identify brain chemistry changes associated with neural function. These research interests in human brain function and plasticity have led to fruitful collaborations with the colleagues in the Department of Neurology at the John Hunter Hospital and an interest in stroke and the functional sequelae of heart surgery. This line of research presents an experimental model capable of investigating subtle cognitive changes in response to mild and focused brain injury. In addition Dr. Hunter has maintained his interest in the links both between psychopathology and learning and brain plasticity and learning. He is currently undertaking research into the causes and effects of child abuse and is also researching the roles of therapy and the mechanisms of behaviour change in therapy. He has also established a record of neuroscience research into the molecular changes involved in learning in the chicken model. Dr. Hunter has a track record of some 30 years of research in the areas of psychology, clinical psychology and brain function. He maintains strong research collaborations with groups in both clinical and biomedical science and has published widely in those fields.

Teaching ExpertiseAs a qualified teacher Dr. Hunter has developed a wide-range of teaching skills and has instigated a number of innovative changes to the teaching of Psychology in the School. As Convener of the postgraduate Clinical Psychology program from 1986 until 2002 he redeveloped the curriculum into a Problem-Based Learning program. He significantly changed the applicant selection processes and initiated the establishment of the School Psychology Clinic. At undergraduate level he continues to teach into courses investigating the relationships between brain and behaviour. He has experience in teaching neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and behavioural neuroscience. And his wider interests in clinical psychology and neuropathology form a confluence of approaches that provides context to the learning of the underlying brain mechanisms. Throughout his career he has maintained a high rate of successful research supervision having supervised some 10 PhDs; 3 Professional Doctorates and 40 Clinical Masters students.

Administrative ExpertiseDr Hunter currently serves as the Head of School of Psychology.

Mismatch negativity (MMN) is a scalp-recorded electrical potential that occurs in humans in response to an auditory stimulus that defies previously established patterns of regular... [more]

Mismatch negativity (MMN) is a scalp-recorded electrical potential that occurs in humans in response to an auditory stimulus that defies previously established patterns of regularity. MMN amplitude is reduced in people with schizophrenia. In this study, we aimed to develop a robust and replicable rat model of MMN, as a platform for a more thorough understanding of the neurobiology underlying MMN. One of the major concerns for animal models of MMN is whether the rodent brain is capable of producing a human-like MMN, which is not a consequence of neural adaptation to repetitive stimuli. We therefore tested several methods that have been used to control for adaptation and differential exogenous responses to stimuli within the oddball paradigm. Epidural electroencephalographic electrodes were surgically implanted over different cortical locations in adult rats. Encephalographic data were recorded using wireless telemetry while the freely-moving rats were presented with auditory oddball stimuli to assess mismatch responses. Three control sequences were utilized: the flip-flop control was used to control for differential responses to the physical characteristics of standards and deviants; the many standards control was used to control for differential adaptation, as was the cascade control. Both adaptation and adaptation-independent deviance detection were observed for high frequency (pitch), but not low frequency deviants. In addition, the many standards control method was found to be the optimal method for observing both adaptation effects and adaptation-independent mismatch responses in rats. Inconclusive results arose from the cascade control design as it is not yet clear whether rats can encode the complex pattern present in the control sequence. These data contribute to a growing body of evidence supporting the hypothesis that rat brain is indeed capable of exhibiting human-like MMN, and that the rat model is a viable platform for the further investigation of the MMN and its associated neurobiology.

Barnett RA, Hunter M, 'Adjustment of siblings of children with mental health problems: Behaviour, self-concept, quality of life and family functioning', Journal of Child and Family Studies, 21 262-272 (2012) [C1]

Walker AK, James MH, Nakamura T, Hunter M, Hodgson DM, 'Impact of early life bacterial exposure on long-term neuroimmune and neuroendocrine mechanisms in the rodent', Proceedings of the Australian Health and Medical Research Congress 2008, Brisbane, QLD (2008) [E3]

Parenting Stress and the Subjective Quality of Life Experienced by Mothers of Children with Developmental DisabilitiesPsychology, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologySole Supervisor

2006

Investigating inhibitory control in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder using a task switching paradigm: A Behavioural StudyPsychology, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologyCo-Supervisor

2006

The Contribution of False Belief Task Performance and Perceived Intention to Deceive in Young Children's Judgements about Secrets and LiesPsychology, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologySole Supervisor

Performance in Extremely Low Birth Weight Children followed up at 8 years of agePsychology, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologyPrincipal Supervisor

2004

Cognitive Distortions and Social Self-esteem in Sexual Offending Behaviour: A Comparative Investigation of Sexual Offenders, Violent Offenders and University Students in AustraliaPsychology, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologySole Supervisor

2004

A six-month study of the impact of the Active Linkage Initiative on Quality of Life in Licensed Boarding Houses in New South WalesPsychology, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologySole Supervisor